American Oil and Gas Reporter - September 2024 - 37

ConventionSec tion: New Mexico Oil & Gas Association
R-Roswell, and Steven McCutcheon,
R-Carlsbad, called for maintaining a
fund balance of $60 million annually.
A committee substitute was offered but
the measure was postponed.
" We will pursue that bill again next
session, and I think that we will be able
to garner more support for it, " Currier
forecasts.
A tax exemption for smaller companies
operating marginal wells would have ensured
those companies could afford appropriate
monitoring systems and keep
those wells on line, she says. The provision
was included in a state tax package, but
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham expressed
discomfort with aspects of its
wording and vetoed it. Nevertheless, the
governor has committed to working with
NMOGA again on the issue, Currier says.
During next year's initial 60-day session
the issue of water conservation will be
front and center, she predicts, not only
with regard to freshwater preservation,
but also about ways to reuse produced or
treated water. In keeping with the New
Mexico Produced Water Act of 2019, the
New Mexico Environment Department's
Ground Water Quality Bureau last November
published proposed regulations
for produced water reuse outside of oil
and gas activities.
Results of the rulemaking process are
pending, Currier notes, and the association
expects legislation in January on the governor's
proposed strategic water supply
plan, which may include provisions on
reuse and conservation of fresh water.
" Water is New Mexico's most precious
resource since we are in the desert, "
Currier reflects. " We do not have it in
abundance, but we have a ton of produced
water. We have not seen language yet on
the strategic water plan, so in theory, we
are very supportive of the idea and ways
to continue to move it forward. We will
be watching for the actual language before
making any commitment. "
Additional environmental rulemakings
of interest include the use of " forever chemicals "
known as PFAS, for perfluoroalkyl
and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Currier
notes the group of man-made chemicals
no longer are used in hydraulic fracturing.
Federal Concerns
On the federal level, recently proposed
BLM restrictions may ban development
on 4,200 acres in New Mexico's Sandoval
County, north of Albuquerque and west
of Santa Fe. Although the county does
not have a lot of production, " if they
take an inch, they can take a mile, "
Currier warns.
" It's something that we continuously
monitor and watch, " she reports. " We
have really great relationships with BLM
regional offices, as well as the state
office. The BLM has been a good partner
at the state level to NMOGA and our
member companies. "
" A big draw to our meeting is the fact
that it is always beautiful in October, so
we are very glad to welcome people to
the state for the networking as well as for
the educational purposes, " Currier relates.
Registration opens on the morning of
Friday, Oct. 4 and continues throughout
the event. A golf tournament is scheduled
for Sunday, Oct. 6 at The Club at Las
Campanas in Santa Fe.
Break-out and general sessions Oct.
" We as an association, as well as our individual member
companies, work very hard to share with our larger, urban
population centers that-not only does this industry drive
their state-but it touches their lives on a daily basis. "
- Missi Currier
NMOGA President and Chief Executive Officer
However, federal staff based outside
New Mexico can misunderstand industry
operations and concerns compared with
those who are close by, Currier reasons.
In other federal issues, the association
is keeping an eye out for rumored moves
by EPA to designate the Permian Basin
as a nonattainment zone for ozone and
other particulates.
" Since the Permian stretches across
Texas and New Mexico, Texas would
fight that designation, but we fully anticipate
that New Mexico would go along
with it, " Currier evaluates. " That makes
it difficult when you have a giant basin
that is the most prolific in the world
with very different state and regulatory
standards on both sides of the border.
Watching for the potential of the nonattainment
zone is of great concern to the
entire industry. "
With federal and state elections approaching,
NMOGA members will continue
to do what they do best, Campbell
assures. " We get up, work hard, do the
best we can and meet whatever demands
are placed in front of us, " he says.
Annual Meeting
At NMOGA's 2024 convention, representatives
from 180 member companies
will have the opportunity to gather, compare
notes and look to the future, Currier
relates. Members include major oil companies,
large independents, " mom-andpops, "
as well as the engineers, attorneys,
landmen and other professionals who
work in the industry, she adds.
6-7 will include detailed overviews of
federal and state issues, including how
the industry impacts education in New
Mexico, she says.
Mike Sommers, president and CEO
at the American Petroleum Institute, is
keynote speaker. NMOGA also will host
Melanie A. Kenderdine, cabinet secretary
designate of the New Mexico Energy,
Minerals and Natural Resources Department;
and James C. Kenney, cabinet secretary
at the NMED.
Also speaking will be Tracee Bentley,
president and CEO of the Permian Strategic
Partnership, a coalition of Permian
Basin energy companies and higher education
institutions that together address
current and future challenges to oil and
natural gas resources and development
in New Mexico and Texas.
Company executives also will offer
their perspectives about mergers and acquisitions,
especially in the Permian, provide
insights into the industry's situation,
predict what lies ahead and discuss their
commitment to the success of the industry
and New Mexico, Currier adds.
" Missy and the team have put together
a phenomenal program, " Campbell affirms.
" We have changed that up a little bit this
year from a timing standpoint. It is a
great mix of networking and educational
opportunities. It really is indicative of
one of the great things about NMOGA
and how we have been growing. It is a
great opportunity to meet and have ideas
coalesce, allowing us to come up with
new ideas. "
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SEPTEMBER 2024 37
American Oil and Gas Reporter - September 2024

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